Valve has announced that it is allowing users to apply for the Steam for Linux beta.

Valve is specifically looking for experienced users that are familiar with Linux and are running Ubuntu 12.04 or above. This is likely because it's in the way early stages and needs a good debugging. Users that are newer to Linux are being asked to wait until the next beta release to apply.

There are only 1,000 spots available in the current registry, so those who fit the bill can sign up through their Steam accounts. Valve will follow up with users afterward.

Steam is a digital distribution, multiplayer and communications platform that distributes video games online from small developers to larger software companies.

Installing Linux in and of itself is frequently a task well beyond the capabilities of a normal user. Especially if you have to go and try to find device drivers on your own, and install them on your own.

Then trying to make Windows programs work in Wine is not a trivial task. And lots of stuff just simply won't run in Wine at all.

There is no comparison to be made between using Windows and running a Windows app in it and using Linux and getting Windows apps to run in Wine. Your assertion that they're equivalent is ridiculously laughable.

Yet again you make assumptions that you cannot substantiate. Installation of Linux is just as simple as an installation of Windows in fact with some versions, notably Ubuntu/Mint.

Running office in Windows is less than trivial, in fact, there is NO difference between an installation on Windows and an Installation on Linux, insert disc... click on installer.

Your assertion to that what you can and cannot do in Linux is clearly based on the complete and total lack of knowledge of the product, perhaps before you make such sweeping comments you should at least try it. While I concede that some products do not run under WINE there is a lot of common programs that do, with little or no effort required to install and configure them.

Driver support is far from complete. If you're lucky, the distro you've downloaded will recognize everything and contain drivers for all your bits. If not, and there's a huge chance it's not, you're off on your own trying to figure out how to find drivers (and maybe no Linux drivers exist at all for some of your bits) and then how to install them.

...and the problem is that WINE, first of all, exists...as noted, it's a symptom of the problem - not a solution. The problem is that Linux has no mainstream software industry support.

I really, really wish it did. But it doesn't. WINE is a band-aid on that headwound.

And then to explain to an average PC user that "well, probably a lot of the programs you want to use will work in WINE, but some won't" is an absolute death knell for the OS. NOBODY outside of a handful of enthusiasts are going to spend the slightest amount of time on an OS where there's even the slightest chance that some piece of software they want to use won't work.

And that's the state of Linux, past and present. I'm hoping that Steam will help change that in the future...your apparent assertion that that future is already here, though, is false.

"Game reviewers fought each other to write the most glowing coverage possible for the powerhouse Sony, MS systems. Reviewers flipped coins to see who would review the Nintendo Wii. The losers got stuck with the job." -- Andy Marken